History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 85

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 85
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 85
USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 85

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Fred Fenninger was born Dec. 12, 1840, in Germany. ITis parents emigrated to this country when Fred was but eighteen months old, locating in Crawford Co., Ohio. When he was eleven years of age, they moved to Carroll Co., Ill., where he remained until May 24, 1871, then came to

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

Hancock Co., Iowa, settling on seetion 26, Concord township. In the fall of 1871, Mr. Fenninger built a house and removed his family. He has 120 acres of valuable land, on which are good substantial build- ings. In politics, he is a strong republi- can. He has held several local offices.

He was trustee for eight years and is now one of the school directors. Mr. Fennin- ger was married Jan. 31, 1860, to Eliza- beth Kunyon, born Nov. 5, 1840, in New York State. By this union there were six children-Carrie, Charles, Alice, Jen- nie, Freddie and Hortense.

CHAPTER XX.

CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP.

This township is located in the north- ern tier, the second from the west line. For some ten years from the date of its organization, it comprised all that terri- tory now known as Bingham, in addition to the present Crystal township. The land is more of an undulating, swelling nature than elsewhere in the county, and in the northeast corner of the township are some hills with intervening ravines. If these could be protected from prairie fires they would soon be covered with an indigenous growth of oak, basswood and poplar timber, a consummation devoutly to be wished for, as timber is the one thing needful in this country. The larger portion of the township is arable land, well adapted to general farming and stock raising. Rich, Inxuriant growth of native grasses and an abundance of good water are here to be found. Two lakes are found within the limits of the precinct, Crystal lake and Lake Edward. The first named is one and a fourth miles long, and

half a mile wide. It is well stocked with fish, and during the larger part of the spring, summer and autumn months, is covered with wild water fowls. Lake Edward is of about half the size of Crys- tal lake and also abounds in fish and game. There is no timber in this town- ship except one or two small groves on the banks of Crystal lake and a few trees near Lake Edward. The township con- tains large quantities of peat; enough to last a century. Prof. White, State Geol- ogist, pronounces it equal in quality to any in the State.

The township roads are justly acknowl- edged to be the best of any in the county.

Several small streams drain the country emptying into the above mentioned lakes, and enrich the surrounding soil by sup- plying that prime necessity-water.

Any history of this township must be noted for its brevity, for its settlement dates from a quite recent date. The beautiful expanse of country, now set-

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

tling up and affording rich promise for fu- ture wealth and unbounded resources, lay dormant under the hand of nature until 1865, when Edwin Trumbull and Myron Booth pushed their way thither and set- tled on the banks of a pellucid lake, to which they gave the name it now bears -Crystal.

Edwin Trumbull located upon the south side of the lake, on a portion of section 16. Here he reared his "lowly cot," and at once commenced to break the sod of the virgin prairie that surrounded him, and sow the seed for future harvest. Mr. Trumbull did not remain long a resident of the county, but after a few years went to Webster City, where he is still living.

Myron Booth settled near Mr. Trun- bull, and remained for some years upon the farm he thus opened up. He some time ago, however, removed from the township and county, and is living at present at Dunlap, this State.

In 1866 James McDowell and Warren E. Turner settled in this township, where they remained, but finally removed, the former to Missouri and the latter to Kan- sas. B. W. Witt is said to have been a settler, also, of this year.

In 1868 a fresh flood of emigration swept this way, and among the in-comers of that year were numbered Eugene Mar- shall, Jonas A. Scott, Jacob Scott, F. G. Scott, E. W. Scott, Byron F. Scott, W. H. MeQuairie, Peter Spang and Luke Nichols. Of these Engene Marshall at- tained some eminence in the county, hold- ing the several positions, at various times, of' county surveyor, superintendent and deputy treasurer. Some years ago he

left Hancock county, and is at present managing a bank at Caledonia, Minn.

The five members of the Scott family remained some years, and being a numer- ous clique in a sparsely settled district, they engineered the finances of school fund to their own advantage. A story is told that when the township of Britt was set off from that of Crystal, the new treasurer went to see the gentleman of the Scott family who was then school treasurer, for a settlement, and found, among other items, one of $700, the only credit for which, or accounting for its ab- sence, being the entry, "Don't know where it's gone." When the township had settled up so that they could no longer manipulate the funds as suited them, they all incontinently left the county.

W. HI. MeQuairie was long a resident of this township, having but just left it in October, 1883, for a home in the new E'dorado of the west, Washington Terri- tory.

Luke Nichols was from Illinois, and remained a resident of the township and county until his death a few years ago.

Peter Spang, after remaining here sev- eral years, finally gave up pioneering on the western prairies and returned to his former home in the "Old Granite State"- New Hampshire. Thus but few of the original settlers are to be found in this vicinity, for the restless nature of the average frontiersman makes them all "move on."

The pioneer days may be said to have ended by the time that these had all made their settlement.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

The township was organized on the 12th of October, 1869, taking the name of "Crystal." At this time the township consisted of this and Bingham township. The first officers elected were as follows: County supervisor, B. F. Scott; elerk, E. W. Scott; assessor, William II. McQuairie; trustees, Eugene Marshall, Warren E. Turner and Jacob E. Scott; justices of the peace, John G. Bingham and James Mc- Dowell; constables, B. F. Scott and My- ron Booth; road supervisor, Peter Spang. Messrs. Bingham and MeDowell declined to qualify, and on the 20th of March, 1870, the trustees appointed William G. Rodman justice of the peace.

Daniel W. Chase was elected constable on the 5th of November, 1872, and was the first person elected to that office who qualified.

At the first election eleven votes were cast, and, what is remarkable of these, five were cast by veterans of our late war.

The following is the list of the present township officers who manage the affairs of Crystal: A. J. Chase, John Kennedy and Marten Larson, trustees ; D. W. Chase, town clerk; James Johnson, asses- sor; W. G. Rodman and Daniel Chase, justices.

The township school district was not organized until the year 1870, when the following were elected directors: Peter Spang, B. W. Witt and Jacob Scott. F. G. Scott was appointed secretary and William G. Rodman, treasurer.

Crystal Lake postoffice was established by the department in 1870, with William G. Rodman as postmaster. This office continued under his charge until the year

1878, when it was discontinued and has never been revived.

The first marriage in the township was that of llenry Hennenhofer to Maria Smith, in 1872. The ceremony was per- formed by Luke Nichols, at that time a justice of the peace.

The first birth was that of a son of Mr and Mrs. William H. MeQuairie, who was born during the year 1869.

The first death that occurred within the township of Crystal was that of a dangh- ter of F. G. Scott, the date of whose de- mise was in 1870.

The first sermon delivered in the town- ship was by the Rev. A. S. R. Groom, and was during the summer of 1869. Preach- ing has since been held at irregular in- tervals, but no church edifice raises its Heaven-pointing spire within the limits of Crystal.

The first school house was erected dur- ing the year 1867, at Crystal Lake, and was 22×28 feet in dimensions, costing about $400. Martha Church was the pre- ceptress that taught the young pioneers.

The second school house was built in the year 1870, at or near the site of the present Lake Edward school house. Wil- liam Overbaugh enjoys the credit of being the primal pedagogue that presided, fer- rule in hand, over the unruly urchins that congregated there. During the spring of 1883 this old building was razed to the ground and a new structure erected at a cost of about $400. This was finished in June, and is 16x22 feet in size, and neat and substantial in build. Bertha Pitkin was the first teacher of the new school.

Buffalo Grove school house was built in 1871, and is in size the same as the

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

other, 16x22 feet, and cost about $375. The first to "rear the tender shoot" was Marcus Williams, who taught during the winter of 1871-2.

At Crystal Lake is another school house of a much later date of construction.

The population of the township is at present 125, but with a rapidly growing community.

Hats and brooms are manufactured in the township in sufficient quantity to supply the local demands, and some are sold in the adjacent towns.

Considerable butter is made for the market.

Stock raising is an industry that is by 110 means neglected. Luke Nichols is quite extensively engaged in this business.

The township has also a public library of 175 well selected volumes. The basis of this was laid in 1876, and small addi- tions made to it every year.

There is also a public cemetery belong- ing to the township. The site for this was selected and grounds purchased in 1875. The same year a tax of $200 was levied for the purpose of fencing the grounds, planting trees, etc. It is in charge of a board of trustees in accordance with the law.

Here it would be as well to mention the singular fact that this people are of such an industrious and harmonious nature that there has never a suit at law originated within the limits of the town- ship.

Marten Larson was born in Denmark, May 16, 1847. Ilis parents, Lars and Mary (Jansen) Larson have been dead for sev- eral years. Marten was reared in his native land, and when twenty-five years of age

emigrated to America, locating first at Dunlap Station, Peoria Co., Ill. He there followed farming for two years, and in 1874 came to Hancock Co., Iowa. He bought eighty acres of land on section 16, all of which is improved and valued at $20 per acre. Mr. Larson raises a large amount of stock for market, and votes the straight republican ticket. In January, 1875, he married Carrie Matteson, daugh- ter of Matt and Anna Sceanson, of Elling- ton township, this county. They have five children-Larrets, Mary, William, George and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Larson's father resides at Britt, Iowa, but her mother is deceased.

James Johnson has been a resident of Crystal township since 1869. He owns 120 acres on section 19, a like num- ber of acres on section 29, and a tree claim of forty acres on section 30. The two former pieces are under cultivation. Mr. Johnson was born in Denmark, April 18, 1833, and there resided until thirty-six years of age. In 1863,jwhen Austria and Prussia attempted to seize the kingdom of the Danes, Mr. Johnson enlisted in the armies of his native land, and on April 13, 1864, was severely wounded in the arm by the bursting of a bomb-shell. In 1869 he came to America with his fam- ily, and located in Hancock Co., Iowa. Then, in connection with a brother-in-law, C. W. Nelson, he purchased 240 acres of land in Crystal township. Two years later, they divided the land equally, and Mr. Johnson has since added to his pos- sessions, as before stated. In 1855, he was married to Hans Sene Larson, also a native of Denmark. Nine children have

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IHISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

been born to them, five in Denmark and four in America. Six are living-Ras- mus P., Anna Sophia, Hans G., Claude C., James and William L. While resi- dents of Denmark, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were members of the Lutheran Church, but since coming to America, have not united with any religious denomination. Mr. Johnson's father is deceased, but his mother, Marn (Jansen) Johnson, is seventy-six years of age, and resides with her son, Christian Johnson, of this town- ship. Mrs. Johnson's mother died many years ago, but her father still lives in Denmark. When Mr. Johnson first set- tled on his present farm, he lived for the first three months in a sod house. In 1880, he erected a neat and substantial one and a half story frame house, in the furnishing of which he has shown excel- lent taste.

Capt. William G. Rodman and wife are the oldest settlers now residing in Crystal township, and none are more highly respected. William G. Rodman was born in Westchester county, near Mt. Vernon, N. Y., July 9, 1811. When fourteen years of age, he went to New York city, and secured a position in a wholesale grocery house owned by an uncle. Seven months afterward, he shipped as cabin boy on board an outward bound sailing vessel, and followed the life of a sailor for twenty years. By paying strict attention to his duties, in whatever position he held, he rose slowly but surely in official ranks, until he trod the quarter deck as captain of a fine vessel. In 1832 he was serving on board of the United States frigate Potomac, Commodore Downes, commanding the squadron, and an

able seamam, and participated in the bat- tle of Qualabattoo, Malay Islands. Hle left the sea in 1846, and two years later engaged in the manufacture of hats. Ile followed this business for eleven years, and during the period invented a servic- able water proof hat. He next went to California and purchased land near Oak- land, eight miles from the Pacific slope metropolis. After a six years residence there, he disposed of his property, and went east, locating at Babylon, Long Island. Four years subsequently, in April, 1869, he came to Hancock county and made a permanent settlement. In 1859, he had made a purchase of 500 acres in Hancock and Kossuth counties, Iowa, and be now owns 320 acres in Hancock, and 520 acres in Palo Alto Co., Iowa. The greater portion of this land is well improved. Politically, Mr. Rodman is an earnest and conscientious advocate of republican principles. Hle was married July 9, 1842, to Phebe Bamper, of Patter- son, N. J., born June 5, 1824 Five children were born to this union, all of whom are deceased-Harry E., son of Garry Bamper, and a nephew of Mrs. Rod- man, resides with our subject. Mrs. Rod- man is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Ever since Mr. Rodman en- tered the wholesale house in New York city he has worked hard, and now as old age is coming on, is prepared to live com- fortably

Daniel Chase is one of the prominent and esteemed citizens of this township. Ile was born in Winehendon, Mass., July 16, 1814. When two years of age, his parents removed to Jaffrey, N. II., where the father purchased a farm. He there

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

died in 1831, aged fifty-nine years. In 1834 the son Daniel went back to the old home in Massachusetts, and in 1840 re- moved to Illinois. Two years later he re- turned to Winehendon, in his native State, and lived there ten years, dividing this time between labor in a manufactur- ing establishment and working at the painting trade. He then went to Jaffrey, N. II., and bought a farm, which he culti- vated for two years. He then disposed of this farm and purchased land near Fitz- william, in the same State, but sold it a year later. Ile subsequently bought a farm and saw-mill, tilling the former in spring and summer, and operating the latter during the winter months for a period of fifteen years. He then dis- posed of all his town and farming in- terests in New Hampshire, and in 1870, came to Hancock Co., Iowa, making a permanent settlement on section 16, of Crystal township, where he owns a good farm of 400 acres, and also bought sev- enty aeres on section 9. This land he has divided among his children, retaining only 190 acres for his own support. Ile is an extensive dealer in the better grades of stock, and in politics, has been a life- long republican. For the benefit of his neighbors, he keeps what is familiarly termed the "accommodation postoffice" ie, any of the neighbors that make a trip to Forest City, bring back the mail for the neighborhood and Mr. Chase distrib)- utes it gratuitously, and has done so for the past two years. Ile also retails a small stock of groceries, tobaccos, confee- tionery, etc. In November, 1861, he enlisted from New Hampshire, in com- pany F, of Col. Beadeau's sharpshooters,

attached to the 2d regiment sharp- shooters. He served till the spring of 1862, and received an honorable dis- charge on account of physical disability received while in the service. Mr. Chase was nnited in marriage, Jnly 16, 1837, to Mary Hale, of his native place, Win- chendon, Mass. Eleven children have been sent to bless this union-Mary A., Daniel W., Harriet E., Andrew J., Wil- liam F. and Morrill Dow are still living, and all reside near their parents, except one living in Fitzwilliam, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Chase were formerly members of the M. E. and Baptist Churches.

Andrew J. Chase resides on section 1, where, in 1879, he purchased 240 acres of land. He comes of New England stock, having been born in New Hampshire, Nov. 24, 1851. When eighteen years of age he accompanied his parents, Daniel and Mary (Hale) Chase, to Crystal Lake, Iowa, where he soon after bought ninety acres of land, and where his parents still reside. About 170 acres of his present farm is under cultivation, and he raises considerable stock. On Dec. 9, 1874, Mr. Chase was united in marriage with Ellen Nichols, of Crystal township. Four chil- dren have been sent to bless this union, three of whom are living-Lawson, Ilar- riet A. and Charles. Mr. Chase votes for the candidates of the republican party. Mrs. Chase's parents, Luke and Maria Nichols, are deceased.

Lawrenteus Larsen, son of Lars and Anna Lawrenson was born May 19, 1838, in Denmark. Ile followed farming in that place until twenty-eight years old, when he came to America, locating in Oshkosh, Wis., where he drove team in a

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

lumber yard for about four years. He then came to Iowa, locating in Madison town- ship, about three miles south of Forest City, where he rented eighty acres of land. Ile remained there about four years, then he purchased eighty acres of land on section 19, Crystal township. Hle was married in 1869 to Millie Hanson, '

daughter of Andrew and Dora (Olson) Hanson, of Denmark. They have had four children, three of whom are living- Anna, Ida and Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. Larsen are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Larsen is a republican. When in the old country he belonged to the regular army.

CHAPTER XXI.

ELL TOWNSHIP.

The township of Ell is that sub-divis ion of Hancock county contained within congressional township 95 north, range 23 west, and is bounded on the north by Concord township, on the south and west by Avery and German townships respec- tively, and on the east by Cerro Gordo county. Several affluents of the Iowa river supply the needed amount of water for the purpose of assisting the fertility of the soil and for stock .raising. The surface is slightly undulating prairie, al- though there are some low and swampy places, but these latter, as the land around them is opened up for cultivation, drain out and become the most valuable proper- ty in the section. Black alluvial soil, the deposit of pre-historie seas, is the soil of all this township, and covers the vast heds of drift that underly the whole of this region. No building stone is found in the locality, other than the boulders scattered over the prairie, left by the glaciers of in- finite ages ago.

The first settler in this precinct was Sebastian Ell, after whom the township is named. In September, 1870, he locat- ed upon section 15, and put up the first house in the township. Mr. Ell is a resident of this farm that he settled upon then.

Sebastian Ell is a native of Prussia, born Jan. 22, 1820. Ile emigrated with his parents to America when sixteen years of age, settling at Columbus, Ohio. After being engaged in farming there eighteen years, he went'to Ogle Co., III., residing there thirteen years. In 1870 he came to Hancock Co., Iowa, settling on section 5, Ell township. Being the first settler in the township it took his name. He built the first house in the township, in which he now lives. It is a frame structure, 28x32 feet. Mr. Ell was married in 1842, in Ohio, to Catharine Wideman, born in April, 1825, in IIesse, Germany. There are nine children-Conrat, Philip, George, Barbara, Margaret, Katharina, Mary, Christina and Lucy. Mr. Ell is a mem-

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politieally, he is a republican.

Philip Getz also settled in the town- ship, in September, 1870, locating upon section 4, where he still resides.

John Bock was another of the pioneers of Ell township, locating upon section 21, in the year 1873. He is still living upon this property, one of the prominent and influential citizens of the township.

Wilhelm Baker, who settled in 1875, upon section 29, was the next to locate here, and is still a resident of the town- ship.

The township was organized in 1879, and the first election was held on the 11th of October, of that year, at school house No. 2, and resulted in the choice of the following officers: J. M. Bickford, Sebas- tian Ell and John Succow, trustees; Charles Kluekhohn, elerk; Frank Robbins, asses- sor; S. Graham, justice; II. Merrill, con- stable; Philip Getz, road supervisor. At this election there were only twenty-seven ballots cast.

The officers at present holding office in the township are: Sebastian Ell, R. Corey and S. B. Day, trustees; John Stork, clerk; R. M. Day and R. Corey, justices; Valen- tine Joslin and John Bock, constables; John Stork, R. M. Day and Charles Ford, school directors.

The German Reformed Church in this township is the outgrowth of a series of meetings held in German township. On the 22d of August, 1878, the Rev. Fred- erick Mosebach preached the first sermon at the school house in that township, known as Peck's, and which stood on see- tion 12. At this time Mr. Mosebach lived with a family in German township, by the

name of Henry Katter. The present church was erected in October, 1879, on section 7. It is 30x40 feet in dimension, and seventeen feet high, to the ceiling. It is a good substantial frame edifice, and is well finished and painted within and without. This building was built at an expense of about $1,800. Twenty-four families support this Church, but they are scattered over four townships, Ell, Ger- man, Twin Lake and Concord; some of them coming eight miles to Divine ser- vice. Five acres of ground, including the cemetery, surround the church and are the property of the society.

The pastor, Frederick Mosebach, is a native of Essen, Prussia, where he was born on the 24th of March, 1849. After attending college in Germany, he emi- grated to America, in 1876, and locating in New York, there attended the theologi- cal seminary. Moving to Sheboygan, Wis., before completing his studies, he entered the college at that place, where he remained two years. He was married to lIelen Engleman, and they inhabit rooms connected with the church. They have two interesting children-Frederick, born Sept. 4, 1880, and Lydia, born Aug. 25, 1882. He teaches a German common school, three months in the year, and holds their session in the church building. Also, a Church school, at the same place, on Friday of each week, two hours per day, in preparing the youth of the Church for the important rite of confirmation.

S. B. Day, one of the substantial farm- ers of Ell township, was born in Green Co., Penn., June 26, 1851. He resided at the home of his birth until nineteen years of age, when he started west to seek a new

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IIISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

home. Ile came to Upper Grove and pur- chased 160 acres of good land in Ell town- ship, section 31, where he now resides. Besides farming, Mr. Day deals in stock to some extent. lle was married in De- cember, 1876, to Ida Robbins, born in Illinois in 1857. Mr. Day's father, John Nelson Day, was born in Green Co., Penn., in 1823. His mother, Elizabeth (Cooper) Day, was born in Pennsylvania in 1828. There were three children born to them -Reverda, Mary L. and S. B., the sub- jeet of this sketch. Politically, Mr. Day is a democrat.

John Boek was born in Darmstadt Co., Ludwigshafen, Dee, 8, 1889. Coming to America April 6, 1867, he landed at New York and went from there to Belleville, Ill., where he resided two years; thence to Quincy, III., where he also resided two years. Ile then went back to the old country, in the spring of 1871, returning to the United States in 1872, landing at New York, and traveled through the dif- ferent States until March 18, 1874, when he came to Garner, Hancock Co., Iowa. Ile purchased 160 acres of good land on the southeast quarter of section 21, in Ell township, where he has since lived. In 1875 his friend and neighbor, William Becker, and family, came and lived with him and kept house for him for one year. In the fall of 1876 his brother, Fred Bock, and family, came from the old country, and have kept house for him since that time until now. John Bock is the pres- ent constable of Ell township. Ile is a republican in polities. Ile is a member of the Reform German Church.

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History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 85

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950